Police motorcycle program suspended

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by Jeff Saunders

Reporter

Macedonia -- The sight of a police officer patrolling the city on two wheels will no longer be seen, at least this year.

With the retirement of Patrol Officer Joe Kammer in April, the department lost its one remaining motorcyclist on the force, said Police Lt. Vince Yakopovich.

At one time, said Yakopovich, the department had three officers using two leased bikes in the program, which began several years ago.

Yakopovich said that with Kammer gone, there is now only one officer still interested in taking part.

However, due to uncertainties over Kammer's eventual replacement, the motorcycles were returned to the leasing company and the program has been suspended.

"We decided to just look at doing it next year," he said.

In the meantime, the city has found a use for one of the two radar speed gun that were used in the program. City Council on May 8 agreed to trade it with Twinsburg Police Department in exchange for six special plastic seats for the back of patrol cars.

The speed gun is worth $2,400 brand new, while the six seats cost an equivalent amount. The plastic seats have no recesses where suspects can hide contraband and are designed to be more comfortable for people in handcuffs.

E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169